England batsman Buttler suffers broken thumb

London, July 10 (IANS) England’s wicketkeeper-batsman Jos Buttler has suffered a broken thumb on his left hand while playing for Lancashire in their NatWest T20 Blast cricket tournament win over Worcestershire.

Standing up to the stumps in the 17th over at New Road on Friday, Buttler was inadvertently struck by a bottom edge from Ben Cox’s bat, leaving the 25-year-old in visible discomfort for the remainder of Worcestershire’s innings.

However, the injury did not prevent Buttler from making his mark with the bat as he blasted a 20-ball half-century, Lancashire’s fastest fifty in Twenty20 cricket.

Opening the innings, as he had done for England in their T20 International at Southampton on Tuesday, Buttler bludgeoned seven fours and four sixes in his 57 off 23 deliveries to inspire the defending champions to a seven-wicket win.

“Lancashire and England’s Jos Buttler received a blow to his left thumb during Friday night’s NatWest T20 Blast match against Worcestershire Rapids at New Road,” England and Wales Cricket Board said in their website on Friday.

“X-rays later revealed he sustained a small stable fracture which will be managed considerably.”

Buttler was in fine form during the recent T20 match between England and Sri Lanka.

Buttler’s heroics were a continuation of the fine displays he made for England in the limited-overs matches against Sri Lanka.

His 73 not out after being promoted to open against Sri Lanka earlier this week was his highest score in T20s, while knocks of 93 and 70 proved crucial in the ODI series.